Tyrese Gibson says he was detained for less than two hours after he showed up at the Fulton County courthouse for a child support hearing on Sept. 9.
In a statement to Sandrarose.com on Wednesday, Sept. 11, Tyrese said he was “released immediately after the great work of my attorney, Tanya Mitchell Graham’s Notice of Intent to Appeal was filed into the Clerk’s Office minutes after the Judge’s ruling.”
Tyrese was previously ordered to pay his ex-wife, Samantha Lee, $10,000 a month for his 6-year-old daughter, Soraya.
Tyrese insisted he never stopped paying child support for his children. He is also dad to 17-year-old daughter Shayla Gibson by his first wife, Norma.
“I have always supported both my daughters beyond any court mandate,” he said. “Although there has been confusion regarding various custody and child support issues, I am currently home and there is no other litigation besides the appeal we filed last year, and the appeal filed yesterday.”
Once again, Tyrese promised to stay off social media. If you recall, he “retired” from social media last week. But his retirement didn’t last long.
“I will be staying off social media to focus on my family and will allow my legal team to manage the judicial process. I am confident we will prevail in the end,” Tyrese said in his statement on Wednesday.
The 45-year-old singer/actor said he and many parents face “systemic injustices that cause emotional and financial strains.” Tyrese said his personal experience with the system has demonstrated “the urgent need for reform. My goal is to raise awareness and push for legislative reforms to support families better.”
He continued:
“Many fathers and mothers, including myself, face significant biases in the family court system. Men striving to be present fathers are often penalized rather than supported. This is a significant issue in Black and Brown communities, and I deeply sympathize with those navigating this system without financial resources. Court biases can lead to unfair outcomes, widening the justice gap we see today.
Children suffer immensely when parents are incarcerated over child support, facing emotional distress, financial instability, educational disruptions, and long-term psychological impacts. These issues emphasize the necessity for change.
My mission is to provide support, resources, and a voice for affected parents. I will continue to advocate for a fair child support system that prioritizes children’s best interests and respects the rights of both parents. Together, we can strive for a more balanced and empathetic justice system.
My daughters and my career are my focus right now, and I will not be commenting further on this matter in any forum.
Thank you for standing by me. With gratitude, God bless!
Tyrese Gibson
Shayla & Soraya’s Father.”
